Preparation and luminescence performance of flexible films based on curdlan derivatives and europium (III) complexes as luminescent sensor for base/acid vapor

Abstract

Herein we manifested an alternative route to synthesize water-soluble biopolymers from natural polysaccharides by chemically modifying aminated curdlan with succinic acid (SA) or ionic liquid (IL), and a series of flexible self-standing films were made from the homogeneous solutions consisting of europium(III) complexes in nanoclay and the above biopolymers under aqueous conditions, which are transparent and luminescent. Compared to film without curdlan derivatives, the presence of water-soluble decorated curdlan can significantly enhance the luminescence efficiency and improve photoluminescent stability of the films. Enhancements of the luminescent intensity were further remarkable when exposing the films to triethylamine vapor, while obvious luminescence quenching occurred upon exposure to HCl vapor. The films are encouraging optoelectronic detectors and vapor-sensitive luminescent sensors.